Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory maintains substantial assets despite fluctuating revenues and consistent expense outlays.
EIN: 10202467 · Bar Harbor, ME · NTEE: U500 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (EIN: 10202467) is a nonprofit organization based in Bar Harbor, ME, classified under NTEE code U500. The organization reported total revenue of $21.8M and total assets of $30.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 10%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 available filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size ($21.7 million latest revenue, $30.7 million assets) and suggests that executive compensation is either not paid by the organization, or is reported under different categories, which warrants further investigation for complete transparency.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and warrants further investigation into how leadership is compensated.
- Expenses frequently exceed revenue in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017), indicating reliance on reserves or other funding mechanisms not immediately apparent.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory:
- Maintains substantial assets (e.g., $30,739,826 latest assets) providing financial stability.
- Consistent filing of IRS 990s over 13 periods demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
- Significant revenue generation, with a peak of over $21 million in 2021, indicating strong fundraising or grant acquisition capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
Is Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (EIN: 10202467) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory spend its money?
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory tax-deductible?
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 10202467). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory fund its operations when expenses frequently exceed revenue?
The organization likely draws upon its substantial asset base, which has consistently been around $30 million, or utilizes prior year surpluses to cover operational expenses when annual revenue falls short, as seen in 2023 where expenses ($16,846,072) exceeded revenue ($14,061,771).
What is the true nature of executive compensation given the 0% reported figure?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this scale. It suggests that officers may not be compensated directly by the organization, or their compensation is reported under different expense categories, or they are compensated by an affiliated entity, requiring deeper scrutiny of the full 990 forms for clarity.
What is the breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The provided summary data does not offer a detailed breakdown of these categories. A full IRS 990 filing would be necessary to determine the specific percentages allocated to programs, administration, and fundraising.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory's revenue has grown by 6.4%, moving from $13.2M to $14.1M. Total assets increased by 9.5% over the same period, from $26.3M to $28.8M. Total functional expenses rose by 65.4%, from $10.2M to $16.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory reported a deficit of $2.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $5.6M in liabilities against $28.8M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 19.5%), resulting in net assets of $23.2M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $14.1M | $16.8M | $28.8M | $5.6M | — | — |
| 2022 | $12.0M | $15.3M | $30.5M | $5.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $21.8M | $13.7M | $34.4M | $5.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $11.2M | $11.3M | $29.9M | $5.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $10.4M | $11.8M | $28.9M | $5.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $11.5M | $12.6M | $29.7M | $5.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $11.8M | $12.2M | $31.3M | $5.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12.8M | $11.7M | $31.2M | $5.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $12.4M | $11.9M | $29.7M | $5.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $13.0M | $10.8M | $29.6M | $5.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $10.2M | $10.6M | $27.3M | $5.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $11.4M | $9.8M | $27.6M | $5.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $13.2M | $10.2M | $26.3M | $5.8M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $14.1M, expenses of $16.8M, and assets of $28.8M (revenue +17.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $12.0M, expenses of $15.3M, and assets of $30.5M (revenue -45.0% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $21.8M, expenses of $13.7M, and assets of $34.4M (revenue +94.1% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $11.2M, expenses of $11.3M, and assets of $29.9M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $10.4M, expenses of $11.8M, and assets of $28.9M (revenue -8.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $12.6M, and assets of $29.7M (revenue -2.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $11.8M, expenses of $12.2M, and assets of $31.3M (revenue -7.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12.8M, expenses of $11.7M, and assets of $31.2M (revenue +2.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $12.4M, expenses of $11.9M, and assets of $29.7M (revenue -4.2% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $13.0M, expenses of $10.8M, and assets of $29.6M (revenue +27.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $10.2M, expenses of $10.6M, and assets of $27.3M (revenue -10.9% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $11.4M, expenses of $9.8M, and assets of $27.6M (revenue -13.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $13.2M, expenses of $10.2M, and assets of $26.3M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.